California gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra speaks with community leaders during a private event in Los Angeles on Oct. 15, 2026. / IVN photo by Aldon Stiles

Xavier Becerra, former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services and current Democratic gubernatorial candidate, said privacy protections and enforceable limits must accompany law enforcement surveillance technology and artificial intelligence, arguing that misuse can endanger civil rights and public safety.

At a Black Community Leaders Reception on Oct. 16 at Alta Adams in Los Angeles,

Becerra took questions from members of the Black media about several subjects, including Flock license plate readers, police use of surveillance tools and how the state should manage artificial intelligence (AI).

“Privacy is paramount,” Becerra said.

When asked what safeguards he would support to prevent license plate readers from tracking people because of race, immigration status or protest activity, Becerra said, “Flock cameras were not meant to track people.”

“They were meant to help law enforcement track license plates,” he continued.

However, he acknowledged that the technology could be misused and that “when they are abused or [law enforcement] overstep, they should be punished.”

He called for “guardrails” and said officials should examine what a technology is designed to do, whether it is doing that job and how to keep it from being used for other purposes.

Becerra also said reports of police using cameras to track individuals raised concerns, and that some technology has performed inadequately when tracking people with different skin tones.

The discussion broadened to artificial intelligence, which Becerra said needs protections for children, workers and public safety.

He argued that policymakers must understand what AI systems can do and create rules before harms occur.

If safeguards fail, he said, officials should consider changing how the technology is used or shutting it down.

His comments linked the issue to risks beyond policing, including the possibility that systems could reach sensitive military information or disrupt electrical or water infrastructure.

“If it’s so dangerous that we have to turn it off, we should turn it off,” Becerra said, adding that he was “not interested in playing with the lives of humanity.”

He said policymakers should establish rules for how companies may operate AI technology, while consumers should be able to control settings such as cookies and the use or sale of personal information.

Becerra said that over the next several years, the Legislature and state government should work on AI guardrails.

In his opening remarks, he also said California should protect jobs as AI advances.

The position echoes his campaign platform, which calls for “guardrails” around threats to public safety and critical infrastructure, and says AI used by state agencies should undergo independent audits.

Asked about immigration, Becerra said the system has been broken for years and that he had tried to advance reforms during his 24 years in Congress.

He criticized President Donald Trump’s enforcement approach and said he believed people across the political spectrum were growing tired of the resulting uncertainty.

He said a change in the political climate could reopen the possibility of bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform.

On education, Becerra opposed shifting public tax dollars to for-profit private schools, saying that doing so could weaken neighborhood schools.

He said more children need support before kindergarten and suggested expanded tutoring for students who fall behind.

He also called for experienced teachers to serve schools where students face the greatest learning challenges, while acknowledging that teachers often leave the profession after a few years.

Becerra also addressed housing, homelessness and health care.

He said he would press cities and counties to show how state homelessness funds are spent and what results they produce, including temporary shelter and mental health services and addiction services.

He also said he wanted to prevent families from losing housing after an unexpected loss of a job or income.

On health care, he warned that federal Medicaid cuts could threaten coverage and providers, and said California should work to protect access to care.

LA Mayor Karen Bass, California Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights) and Mike Gipson (D-Compton), U.S. Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond were among those in attendance.

Becerra’s campaign described the gathering as bringing together elected officials, faith leaders, labor and community voices.